U.S. patent application number 12/721850 was filed with the patent office on 2010-09-16 for vision enhancing optical articles.
This patent application is currently assigned to TRANSITIONS OPTICAL, INC.. Invention is credited to Christopher J. Baldy, Vitawat Lahsangah, Grady M. Lenski, Joseph D. Turpen.
Application Number | 20100232003 12/721850 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42225005 |
Filed Date | 2010-09-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100232003 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Baldy; Christopher J. ; et
al. |
September 16, 2010 |
VISION ENHANCING OPTICAL ARTICLES
Abstract
The invention provides an optical article including a substrate;
and a colorant composition connected to at least a portion of the
substrate. The colorant composition is a fixed-tint colorant; and a
photochromic material. The article exhibits a passive state and an
activated state, such that the article can switch from the passive
state to the activated state in response to at least actinic
radiation and to revert back to the passive state in response to
thermal energy. The passive state is characterized by a
transmittance ranging from greater than 30% to 70% across a
wavelength range of from 460 nanometers to 500 nanometers.
Inventors: |
Baldy; Christopher J.;
(Murrysville, PA) ; Lahsangah; Vitawat; (Saint
Petersburg, FL) ; Lenski; Grady M.; (Tampa, FL)
; Turpen; Joseph D.; (Safety Harbor, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PPG INDUSTRIES INC;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPT
ONE PPG PLACE
PITTSBURGH
PA
15272
US
|
Assignee: |
TRANSITIONS OPTICAL, INC.
Pinellas Park
FL
|
Family ID: |
42225005 |
Appl. No.: |
12/721850 |
Filed: |
March 11, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61160062 |
Mar 13, 2009 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
359/243 ;
252/586 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02C 7/12 20130101; G02C
7/102 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
359/243 ;
252/586 |
International
Class: |
G02B 5/23 20060101
G02B005/23; G02B 1/00 20060101 G02B001/00; G02B 1/04 20060101
G02B001/04 |
Claims
1. An optical article comprising: (A) a substrate; and (B) a
colorant composition connected to at least a portion of the
substrate, the colorant composition comprising: (1) a fixed-tint
colorant; and (2) a photochromic material, wherein the article
exhibits a passive state and an activated state, such that the
article can switch from the passive state to the activated state in
response to at least actinic radiation and to revert back to the
passive state in response to thermal energy, and wherein the
passive state is characterized by a transmittance ranging from
greater than 30% to 70% across a wavelength range of from 460
nanometers to 500 nanometers.
2. The optical article of claim 1, wherein in the passive state the
spectral filtration ratio of the maximum transmittance in the
wavelength range of from 460 nm to 500 nm to the minimum
transmittance in the wavelength range from 500 nm to 580 nm ranges
from 0.5 to 1.5.
3. The optical article of claim 1, wherein in the passive state the
spectral filtration ratio of the maximum transmittance in the
wavelength range of from 460 nm to 500 nm to the minimum
transmittance in the wavelength range from 500 nm to 580 nm ranges
from 1.0 to 1.5
4. The optical article of claim 1, wherein in the activated state
the spectral filtration ratio of the maximum transmittance in the
wavelength range from 460 nm to 500 nm to the minimum transmittance
in the wavelength range from 500 nm to 580 nm is equal to or
greater than 1.0.
5. The optical article of claim 1, wherein in the activated state
the spectral filtration ratio of the maximum transmittance in the
wavelength range from 460 nm to 500 nm to the minimum transmittance
in the wavelength range from 500 nm to 580 nm is greater than
3.0.
6. The optical article of claim 1, wherein the passive state is
characterized by a transmittance ranging from 35% to 70% across a
wavelength range of from 460 nm to 500 nm.
7. The optical article of claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises
polycarbonate, polycyclic alkene, polyurethane, poly(urea)urethane,
polythiourethane, polythio(urea)urethane, polyol(allyl carbonate),
cellulose acetate, cellulose diacetate, cellulose triacetate,
cellulose acetate propionate, cellulose acetate butyrate,
poly(vinyl acetate), poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(vinyl chloride),
poly(vinylidene chloride), poly(ethylene terephthalate), polyester,
polysulfone, polyolefin, copolymers thereof, and/or mixtures
thereof.
8. The optical article of claim 1, wherein the fixed-tint colorant
comprises an organic dye chosen from azo dyes, polymethyne dyes,
arylmethyne dyes, polyene dyes, anthracinedione dyes, pyrazolone
dyes, anthraquinone dyes, quinophtalone dyes and/or carbonyl
dyes.
9. The optical article of claim 1, wherein the photochromic
material comprises naphthopyrans, benzopyrans, indenonaphthopyrans,
phenanthropyrans, spiropyrans, oxazines, mercury dithizonates,
fulgides, and/or fulgimides.
10. The optical article of claim 1, wherein the article is chosen
from ophthalmic elements and devices, display elements and devices,
windows, mirrors, and active and passive liquid crystal cell
elements and devices.
11. The optical article of claim 1, further comprising a polarizer
chosen from a polarizing coating and/or a polarizing stretched
film.
12. The optical article of claim 1, wherein the colorant
composition (B) comprises a coating composition comprising at least
one of the fixed-tint colorant (1) and the photochromic material
(2).
13. The optical article of claim 1, wherein the fixed-tint colorant
(1) is present in and/or on the substrate (A), and the photochromic
material (2) comprises a coating composition and/or a film
connected to the substrate.
14. The optical article of claim 1, wherein the photochromic
material (2) is present in and/or on the substrate (A), and the
fixed-tint colorant (2) comprises a coating composition and/or a
film connected to the substrate.
15. The optical article of claim 1, further comprising one or more
additional coatings and/or films comprising primer coatings,
compatiblizing coatings, transitional coatings, abrasion-resistant
coatings, UV-shielding coatings, oxygen barrier coatings,
anti-reflective coatings, mirror coatings, photochromic coating,
films comprising any of the foregoing coatings, polarizing
coatings, polarizing films; and combinations thereof.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S.
Provisional Application No. 61/160,062, filed Mar. 13, 2009, which
is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to an optical article exhibiting one
color in a passive state capable of switching to a second color in
an activated state in response to at least actinic radiation.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Lenses having correct color for proper contrast and adequate
level of darkening in high illumination conditions are particularly
important for outdoor sports. The level of contrast and how this
contrast is achieved is critical for optimal visual performance and
for wearer comfort. Color perception is altered by the lighting
conditions, the reflected color from a given colored object and
from its surrounding environment, and any color filtering
transparent material in the light path. Through the proper
selection of eye wear containing both fixed tints and photochromic
materials, the color and the darkness can be tuned to change with
the dynamic irradiance of the sun to provide a consistent proper
color and darkness level for optimum visual enhancing performance
at each level of illumination.
[0004] Vision, of course, is about how we process light to create
the images we see. All light, including outdoor sunlight, is
composed of a variety of electromagnetic rays of different colors
as determined by their wavelengths. Rays of violet, blue, green,
yellow, orange and red light each have a specific wavelength, and
when combined these colored rays create white light.
[0005] When transmittance of certain wavelengths into the eye is
selectively reduced, e.g, through the use of sunglasses, glare can
be reduced and contrast sensitivity can be enhanced. These
conditions can provide the athlete with faster reaction speed,
accuracy, clarity and comfort thereby affording possible key
advantages over competitors.
[0006] Sunglasses have long been used to provide vision comfort to
wearers by attenuating excessively bright lighting outdoors.
However, these "fixed-tint" sunwear lenses can serve as a filter at
only one level of illumination. The use of photochromic lenses can
provide attenuation of bright lighting in accordance with the level
of illuminance experienced. This dynamic filtering system relies
upon hue, and filtering, to keep the optimum luminous intensity
that reaches the eye close to 1400 cd/m2, which is considered the
optimum level for comfortable vision. This is the intensity of
light found, for example, under a shade tree in full sunlight. Such
photochromic lenses offer a dynamic system that provides a level of
darkness that automatically adjusts in relationship to the solar
irradiation intensity, in particular the UV intensity, in
proportional relationship to the visible light illumination
conditions.
[0007] In most sports activities, visual clues are the most relied
upon physical sense. Whether identifying terrain features, or
minimizing reaction time in hand-eye responses, enhanced contrast
of an object to its surrounding environment is of benefit. The best
tint for sport sunwear lenses, of course, depends on the
environmental and lighting conditions experienced during outdoor
play.
[0008] The use of color-enhancing polarizing lenses is known to
provide color saturation, and chromatic and luminous contrast
through the use of a trichroic contrast enhancer. This trichroic
system, however, does not necessarily provide the best color
enhancement for sports activities. Also known is a fixed tint lens
that provides an optical filter having an object contrast spectral
window and a background spectral window. This is a static spectral
attenuation lens system limited, as are other "fixed-tint" sunwear
products, to providing the proper attenuation only at one solar
irradiance intensity.
[0009] Other references describe a photochromic object with
permanently increased contrast. Such an object is a normal gray
photochromic system with a fixed tint dye that reduces the
intensity of all wavelengths in the 380 to 500 nm range to a
maximum of 30% transmittance and a minimum of 5% transmittance.
This limits the color utility of this product when in lower
lighting conditions.
[0010] Additionally, there are sunwear products available
commercially that include different colored lenses that can be
snapped onto the sunwear frames to change colors depending upon the
light conditions experienced by the wearer (e.g., yellow/orange/red
colored lenses for low lighting conditions and purple, dark amber
or brown colored lenses for bright lighting conditions).
[0011] A number of sunwear products feature high transmission
yellow, orange, red or amber lenses that can diminish the
transmission of violet, blue, blue green, and green colors. Such
products can reduce or eliminate scattered blue light associated
with fog or haze, and increase visual acuity in low lighting
conditions. However, this region of the spectrum is the trigger for
pupillary function. Thus use of such lenses can result in reduced
pupillary constriction in bright lighting conditions. The net
effect for the wearer is eye discomfort in bright lighting
conditions.
[0012] Optical articles, such as sport lenses, include
non-prescription eyewear, prescription eyewear, and semi-finished
lens blanks designed to be surfaced to desired prescriptions.
Optical articles such as sport lenses also include contact lenses,
goggles, visors, face shields, eye shields, helmets, and the like.
Sports for which specific lenses may be designed can include but
are not limited to: shooting, hunting, cycling, running, hiking,
rock climbing, soccer, tennis, fishing, golfing, water sports,
skiing, baseball, snowboarding, snowmobiling, basketball, handball,
racquetball and motorcycling.
[0013] Sport lenses typically include polarized lenses,
particularly for use in water sports, fishing, or driving sports
where reflective glare is particularly troublesome. A fixed-tint
colorant can be added as a component of the lens material used in
the preparation of the lens, or to the polarizer (e.g., a
polarizing coating or a polarizing film) which comprises a
polarized lens. Polarized optical articles such as lenses reduce
glare by blocking light which has become polarized by being
reflected off various surfaces, particularly horizontal surfaces.
Polarized optical articles such as sports sunwear lenses reduce
glare so athletes can see the ball or other players better, or the
fisherman can look into the water as opposed to viewing surface
reflections. Anti-reflective (AR) coating(s) can be applied to the
optical article as another glare reducer that works even at night,
for example, for night sports played under bright lights. For the
ultimate light-control lenses, many opticians recommend adding
anti-reflective coating to lenses to eliminate glare from the
"bounce-back" of light from the back surface of the lenses. This is
particularly important for dark lenses because these back-side
reflections are constant, and thus become more annoying as the
intensity of the object transmitted through the lens is attenuated
significantly, and begins to approach the intensity of the
back-side reflections. Such lenses also can include UV block
technology to provide 100% UVA/UVB protection as an added benefit
of both short term and long term vision protection from harmful UV
irradiation. Also, "mirror" coatings may be applied to such lenses
to provide enhanced aesthetics (i.e., fashion lenses) as well as
enhanced reflection of glare irradiance.
[0014] Notwithstanding the foregoing, there remains a need in the
sports eyewear market for an optical article such as a lens or
visor that enhances contrast in low lighting conditions (such as a
yellow, orange, red, or amber color in low lighting conditions),
but in brighter lighting conditions darkens significantly to
provide excellent glare protection from excessive illumination.
Additionally, through proper dye selection this darkened state
color can be selected to enhance contrast between an object of
interest and its environmental background colors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The present invention is directed to an optical article
comprising (A) a substrate; and (B) a colorant composition
connected to at least a portion of the substrate, the colorant
composition comprising (1) a fixed-tint colorant; and (2) a
photochromic material, wherein the article exhibits a passive state
and an activated state, such that the article can switch from the
passive state to the activated state in response to at least
actinic radiation and revert back to the passive state in response
to thermal energy, and wherein the passive state is characterized
by a transmittance ranging from greater than 30% to 70% across a
wavelength range of from 460 nanometers to 500 nanometers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURE(S)
[0016] Various embodiments of the present invention will be better
understood when read in conjunction with the figures, in which:
[0017] FIG. 1 shows the spectra (percent transmittance versus
wavelength) of the passive state and activated state of a lens
coated with the composition of Example 1 prepared;
[0018] FIG. 2 shows the spectra (percent transmittance versus
wavelength) of the passive state and activated state of a lens
coated with the composition of Example 2;
[0019] FIG. 3 shows the spectra (percent transmittance versus
wavelength) of the passive state and activated state of a lens
coated with the composition of the Comparative Example;
[0020] FIG. 4 shows the reflected luminance of a golf ball,
artificial grass and the combination of a golf ball on artificial
grass over a wavelength range from 300 to 700 nm and
[0021] FIG. 5 shows the reflected luminance of a golf ball on
artificial grass unfiltered and measured as viewed through lenses
coated with the compositions of Examples 1 and 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the
articles "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless
expressly and unequivocally limited to one referent.
[0023] Additionally, for the purposes of this specification, unless
otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of
ingredients, reaction conditions, and other properties or
parameters used in the specification are to be understood as being
modified in all instances by the term "about." Accordingly, unless
otherwise indicated, it should be understood that the numerical
parameters set forth in the following specification and attached
claims are approximations. At the very least, and not as an attempt
to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the
scope of the claims, numerical parameters should be read in light
of the number of reported significant digits and the application of
ordinary rounding techniques.
[0024] Further, while the numerical ranges and parameters setting
forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations as
discussed above, the numerical values set forth in the Examples
section are reported as precisely as possible. It should be
understood, however, that such numerical values inherently contain
certain errors resulting from the measurement equipment and/or
measurement technique.
[0025] As previously mentioned, the present invention is directed
to an optical article comprising (A) a substrate; and (B) a
colorant composition connected to at least a portion of the
substrate. The colorant composition comprises (1) a fixed-tint
colorant; and (2) a photochromic material, wherein the article
exhibits a passive state and an activated state, such that the
article can switch from the passive state to the activated state in
response to at least actinic radiation and revert back to the
passive state in response to thermal energy, and wherein the
passive state is characterized by a transmittance ranging from
greater than 30% to 70% across a wavelength range of from 460
nanometers to 500 nanometers. This stated transmittance range
within the stated wavelength range is quite relevant for lenses
worn during outdoor activities where enhanced contrast between an
observed object (e.g., a golf ball or a tennis ball) and its
surrounding environment (e.g., grass or sky) can be
advantageous.
[0026] For purposes of the present invention the "colorant
composition" is not necessarily required to be a physical blend or
a mixture of the colorant composition components, i.e., the
fixed-tint colorant (1) and the photochromic material (2), although
it may be. The optical article, however, must comprise both the
fixed-tint colorant (1) and the photochromic material (2). Also it
should be noted that the optical article of the present invention
can comprise one or more fixed-tint colorants, and one or more
photochromic materials.
[0027] As used herein the term "optical" means pertaining to or
associated with light and/or vision. For example, according to
various non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein, the optical
article can be chosen from ophthalmic elements and devices, display
elements and devices, windows, mirrors, and active and passive
liquid crystal cell elements and devices. As used herein the term
"ophthalmic" means pertaining to or associated with the eye and
vision. Non-limiting examples of ophthalmic elements include
corrective and non-corrective lenses, including single vision or
multi-vision lenses, which may be either segmented or non-segmented
multi-vision lenses (such as, but not limited to, bifocal lenses,
trifocal lenses and progressive lenses), as well as other elements
used to correct, protect, or enhance (cosmetically or otherwise)
vision, including without limitation, contact lenses, intra-ocular
lenses, magnifying lenses, and protective lenses or visors. As used
herein the term "mirror coating" means a surface coating that
specularly reflects a large fraction of incident light.
[0028] The present invention affords a dynamic color filtration
system in the form of an optical article (for example, sun wear
lenses) providing one color under low lighting conditions (i.e., in
the lightened or "passive" state) and another color under brighter
lighting conditions (i.e., in the "activated" state). The color of
both the low lighting and the brighter lighting conditions are
specifically tailored to provide a spectral filtration system that
accentuates object detectability and surrounding environment
landscape interpretational clues. Specifically, under lower
lighting conditions, the reduced transmission of violet and blue
scattered light afforded by properly selected passive state color
of the lens can enhance vision in hazy or foggy conditions. Under
bright illumination conditions, the photochromic material
appropriately darkens to effectively mitigate veiling glare and
enhance certain colors while mitigating other colors. Thus the
optical article of the present invention exhibits improved contrast
between the object of interest and the surrounding background
environment.
[0029] Contrast between two objects is defined by the ratio of the
difference between two luminances (L1 and L2), to the sum thereof
(that is: (L1-L2)/(L1+L2)). Through the proper selection of a
colorant composition including fixed tint colorants such as
pigments and/or dyes and photochromic materials, a dynamic lens
filtration system can be produced that maximizes mesopic vision in
low lighting conditions. This same dynamic lens can darken
non-uniformly spectrally resulting in enhancement of the background
color relative to the object of interest, or of the object of
interest relative to its background. In both cases, the effective
result is enhanced contrast. Additionally the darkening ability of
the lens is specifically tailored to maintain the proper viewing
luminance at all levels of varying light intensity to provide
optimal visual acuity.
[0030] For example, the optimal sport lens for a tennis player may
be one requiring improved contrast between the tennis ball and the
background color of the court or the sky in bright light
conditions. In golf, this sport lens can enhance contrast between
light and dark patterns of the grass on greens, enabling you to
"read" greens better for more accurate putting. Alternatively, it
may be an enhancement of the hue of a hazy gray-blue sky to a
deeper blue sky, resulting in the golf ball in flight standing out
relative to the deeper blue colored sky. Amber or rose ski goggle
lenses enhance soft grays that mark shadows on a ski slope. Because
these shadows indicate ridges or bumps in the surface, skiers and
snowboarders "read" them to decide when to turn, so they won't
catch an edge and fall.
[0031] As mentioned above, both the level of contrast and the
lighting environment are important factors to consider for sport
lenses. Each color or tint has particular advantages in particular
circumstances. By combining specific fixed-tint colorants, and
specific photochromic materials, the optimum sun lens solution can
be designed through selective spectral performance in response to
varying light conditions to enhance vision for any desired sport.
For example, this optimal sport lens could provide maximum contrast
between the tennis ball and the court color for a tennis player; or
it may mute the color of the grass to allow a golfer to be able to
read the shadowing effect associated with the undulations of a
green properly.
Substrates:
[0032] Generally speaking, substrates that are suitable for use in
the optical article of the present invention, can include but are
not limited to, substrates formed from organic materials, inorganic
materials, e.g., glass, or combinations thereof (for example,
composite materials).
[0033] Specific examples of organic materials that may be used to
form the substrates disclosed herein include polymeric materials,
for examples, homopolymers and copolymers, prepared from the
monomers and mixtures of monomers disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
5,962,617 and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,658,501 from column 15, line 28 to
column 16, line 17, the disclosures of which U.S. patents are
specifically incorporated herein by reference. For example, such
polymeric materials can be thermoplastic or thermoset polymeric
materials, can be transparent or optically clear, and can have any
refractive index required.
[0034] Examples of such disclosed monomers and polymers include:
polyol(allyl carbonate) monomers, e.g., allyl diglycol carbonates
such as diethylene glycol bis(allyl carbonate), which monomer is
sold under the trademark CR-39.RTM. by PPG Industries, Inc.;
polyurethane, poly(urea)urethane (which can prepared, for example,
by the reaction of a polyurethane prepolymer and a diamine curing
agent, a composition for one such polymer being sold under the
trademark TRIVEX.RTM. by PPG Industries, Inc.), polythiourethane,
polythio(urea)urethane; polyol(meth)acryloyl terminated carbonate
monomer; diethylene glycol dimethacrylate monomers; ethoxylated
phenol methacrylate monomers; diisopropenyl benzene monomers;
ethoxylated trimethylol propane triacrylate monomers; ethylene
glycol bismethacrylate monomers; poly(ethylene glycol)
bismethacrylate monomers; urethane acrylate monomers;
poly(ethoxylated bisphenol A dimethacrylate); cellulose acetate,
cellulose diacetate, cellulose triacetate, cellulose acetate
propionate, cellulose acetate butyrate, poly(vinyl acetate),
poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(vinyl chloride), poly(vinylidene
chloride)poly(vinyl alcohol); poly(vinyl chloride); polysulfone;
polyethylene; polypropylene; thermoplastic polycarbonates, such as
the carbonate-linked resin derived from bisphenol A and phosgene,
one such material being sold under the trademark LEXAN; polyesters,
such as the material sold under the trademark MYLAR; poly(ethylene
terephthalate); polyvinyl butyral; poly(methyl methacrylate), such
as the material sold under the trademark PLEXIGLAS, and polymers
prepared by reacting polyfunctional isocyanates with polythiols or
polyepisulfide monomers, either homopolymerized or co- and/or
terpolymerized with polythiols, polyisocyanates,
polyisothiocyanates and optionally ethylenically unsaturated
monomers or halogenated aromatic-containing vinyl monomers. Also
contemplated are copolymers of such monomers and blends of the
described polymers and copolymers with other polymers, for example,
to form block copolymers or interpenetrating network products.
[0035] In a particular embodiment, the substrate can comprise
polycarbonate, polycyclic alkene, polyurethane, poly(urea)urethane,
polythiourethane, polythio(urea)urethane, polyol(allyl carbonate),
cellulose acetate, cellulose diacetate, cellulose triacetate,
cellulose acetate propionate, cellulose acetate butyrate,
poly(vinyl acetate), poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(vinyl chloride),
poly(vinylidene chloride), poly(ethylene terephthalate), polyester,
polysulfone, polyolefin, copolymers thereof, and/or mixtures
thereof.
[0036] The substrate may further comprise a protective coating on
at least a portion of its surface. As used herein, the term
"protective coating" refers to coatings or films that can prevent
wear or abrasion, provide a transition in properties from one
coating or film to another, protect against the effects of
polymerization reaction chemicals and/or protect against
deterioration due to environmental conditions, such as, moisture,
heat, ultraviolet light, oxygen, etc. For example, commercially
available thermoplastic polycarbonate ophthalmic lens substrates
are often sold with an abrasion-resistant coating already applied
to their surfaces because these surfaces tend to be readily
scratched, abraded or scuffed. An example of one such polycarbonate
lens substrate is sold under the trademark GENTEX (by Gentex
Optics). Non-limiting examples of abrasion-resistant coatings
include, abrasion-resistant coatings comprising silanes,
abrasion-resistant coatings comprising radiation-cured
acrylate-based thin films, abrasion-resistant coatings based on
inorganic materials, such as, silica, titania and/or zirconia, and
combinations thereof. For example, according to various
non-limiting embodiments the protective coating may comprise a
first coating of a radiation-cured acrylate-based thin film and a
second coating comprising a silane. Non-limiting examples of
commercial protective coatings products include SILVUE.RTM. 124 and
HI-GARD.RTM. coatings, commercially available from SDC Coatings,
Inc. and PPG Industries, Inc., respectively.
Colorant Composition:
[0037] As mentioned above, the optical article of the present
invention further comprises (B) a colorant composition connected to
the substrate. The colorant composition comprises as components (1)
a fixed-tint colorant, and (2) a photochromic material. As
previously mentioned, the colorant composition need not be a
physical mixture or blend of components (1) and (2) (although in
some embodiments of the present invention components (1) and (2)
may be blended and even present in the same composition which is
applied to the substrate). Rather, the optical article of the
present invention must comprise both components (1) and (2). For
example, the fixed-tint colorant (1) may be present in/on the
substrate, while the photochromic material (2) may be applied over
that substrate as a separate coating or as a film comprising the
photochromic material (2). Likewise, the photochromic material (2)
may be present in/on the substrate and the fixed-tint colorant (1)
can be applied over the photochromic substrate as a coating or as a
film comprising the fixed-tin colorant (1). A myriad of
combinations are possible provided both components (1) and (2) are
present in the optical article.
[0038] Examples of suitable fixed-tint colorants can include, any
of the art recognized inorganic and organic pigments and/or dyes.
Organic dyes can include any of those selected from azo dyes,
polymethyne dyes, arylmethyne dyes, polyene dyes, anthracinedione
dyes, pyrazolone dyes, anthraquinone dyes, auinophtalone dyes and
carbonyl dyes Specific examples of such organic dyes include
Celliton Orange R and Celliton Yellow 7GFL available from BASF
Corporation, Resolin Brilliant Yellow PGG available from Bayer,
Samaron Brilliant Orange GSL available from Dystar, Terasil Orange
R available from Ciba, Dorospers Orange R available from Dohmen
Yellow2 GH, Yellow Yc, and Violet PF available from Keystone
Aniline, Morplas Blue from Morton International, Inc., and Rubine
Red from Clariant Corporation. Mixtures of any of the
aforementioned dyes can be used.
[0039] As used herein, the term "photochromic material" includes
both inorganic and organic photochromic materials, and both
thermally reversible and non-thermally reversible (or
photo-reversible) photochromic compounds. These photochromic
materials can be employed in a wide variety of combinations in the
colorant composition used to prepare the optical article of the
present invention provided at least one thermally reversible
photochromic compound is included. Generally, although not limiting
herein, when two or more photochromic materials are used in
conjunction with each other, the various materials can be chosen to
complement one another to produce a desired color or hue. For
example, mixtures of photochromic compounds can be used according
to certain non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein to attain
certain colors in the activated state, for example, a near neutral
gray or near neutral brown. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No.
5,645,767, column 12, line 66 to column 13, line 19, the disclosure
of which is specifically incorporated by reference herein, which
describes the parameters that define neutral gray and brown
colors.
[0040] The photochromic material can comprise any of a variety of
organic and inorganic photochromic materials. The photochromic
material(s) can include but is not limited to the following classes
of materials: chromenes, e.g., naphthopyrans, benzopyrans,
indenonaphthopyrans, phenanthropyrans or mixtures thereof;
spiropyrans, e.g., spiro(benzindoline)naphthopyrans,
spiro(indoline)benzopyrans, spiro(indoline)naphthopyrans,
spiro(indoline)quinopyrans and spiro(indoline)pyrans; oxazines,
e.g., spiro(indoline)naphthoxazines,
spiro(indoline)pyridobenzoxazines,
spiro(benzindoline)pyridobenzoxazines,
spiro(benzindoline)naphthoxazines and spiro(indoline)benzoxazines;
mercury dithizonates, fulgides, fulgimides and mixtures of such
photochromic compounds.
[0041] Such photochromic materials and complementary photochromic
materials are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,931,220 at column 8,
line 52 to column 22, line 40; 5,645,767 at column 1, line 10 to
column 12, line 57; 5,658,501 at column 1, line 64 to column 13,
line 17; 6,153,126 at column 2, line 18 to column 8, line 60;
6,296,785 at column 2, line 47 to column 31, line 5; 6,348,604 at
column 3, line 26 to column 17, line 15; and 6,353,102 at column 1,
line 62 to column 11, line 64, the disclosures of the
aforementioned patents are incorporated herein by reference.
Spiro(indoline)pyrans are also described in the text, Techniques in
Chemistry, Volume III, "Photochromism", Chapter 3, Glenn H. Brown,
Editor, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 1971.
[0042] Suitable photochromic materials can include polymerizable
photochromic materials, such as polymerizable naphthoxazines
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,166,345 at column 3, line 36 to column
14, line 3; polymerizable spirobenzopyrans disclosed in U.S. Pat.
No. 5,236,958 at column 1, line 45 to column 6, line 65;
polymerizable spirobenzopyrans and spirobenzothiopyrans disclosed
in U.S. Pat. No. 5,252,742 at column 1, line 45 to column 6, line
65; polymerizable fulgides disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,359,085 at
column 5, line 25 to column 19, line 55; polymerizable
naphthacenediones disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,488,119 at column 1,
line 29 to column 7, line 65; polymerizable spirooxazines disclosed
in U.S. Pat. No. 5,821,287 at column 3, line 5 to column 11, line
39; polymerizable polyalkoxylated naphthopyrans disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 6,113,814 at column 2, line 23 to column 23, line 29; and
the polymerizable photochromic compounds disclosed in WO97/05213
and in U.S. Pat. No. 6,555,028 at column 1, line 16 to column 24,
line 56. The disclosures of the aforementioned patents on
polymerizable photochromic materials are incorporated herein by
reference.
[0043] Other suitable photochromic materials can include
organo-metal dithiozonates, e.g., (arylazo)-thioformic
arylhydrazidates, e.g., mercury dithizonates which are described
in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,361,706 at column 2, line 27 to
column 8, line 43; and fulgides and fulgimides, e.g., the 3-furyl
and 3-thienyl fulgides and fulgimides, which are described in U.S.
Pat. No. 4,931,220 at column 1, line 39 through column 22, line 41,
the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0044] Further photochromic material can include organic
photochromic material resistant to the effects of a polymerization
initiator when used. Such organic photochromic materials include
photochromic compounds in admixture with a resinous material that
has been formed into particles and encapsulated in metal oxides,
which are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,166,043 and 4,367,170 at
column I line 36 to column 7, line 12, which disclosure is
incorporated herein by reference.
[0045] The photochromic material can comprise a single photochromic
compound; a mixture of photochromic compounds; a material
comprising at least one photochromic compound, such as a plastic
polymeric resin or an organic monomeric or oligomeric solution; a
material such as a monomer or polymer to which at least one
photochromic compound is chemically bonded; a material comprising
and/or having chemically bonded to it at least one photochromic
compound, the outer surface of the material being encapsulated
(encapsulation is a form of coating), for example with a polymeric
resin or a protective coating such as a metal oxide that prevents
contact of the photochromic material with external materials such
as oxygen, moisture and/or chemicals that have a negative effect on
the photochromic material, such materials can be formed into a
particulate prior to applying the protective coating as described
in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,166,043 and 4,367,170; a photochromic polymer,
e.g., a photochromic polymer comprising photochromic compounds
bonded together; or mixtures thereof.
[0046] Suitable photochromic materials can include polymerizable
photochromic materials, for example, the polymerizable
polyalkoxylated naphthopyrans disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,113,814,
at column 2, line 24 to column 23, line 29, the cited portions of
which are incorporated herein by reference. Additionally, suitable
photochromic materials can include polymeric matrix compatibilized
naphthopyran compounds such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
6,555,028 B2 at column 2, line 40 to column 24, line 56, the cited
portions of which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0047] Further, the photochromic material can comprise a reaction
product of at least one ring-opening cyclic monomer comprising a
cyclic ester and/or a cyclic carbonate, and a photochromic
initiator. Such materials and the preparation thereof are described
in detail in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 200610022176A1
at paragraphs [0007] to [0088], the cited portions of which are
incorporation herein by reference.
[0048] To enhance kinetics of any photochromic materials present in
the optical article of the present invention, one or more art
recognized plasticizers also may be used in conjunction with the
photochromic material. Suitable plasticizers useful in the present
invention can include the generally known classes of plasticizers.
Examples of the classes of plasticizers are listed in Table 117,
Chemical Names of Plasticizers and their Brand Names, pp 140-188,
of Plasticizer Evaluation and Performance by Ibert Mellan, Noyes
Development Corporation, 1967; in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of
Industrial Chemistry, Vol. 20, pp 439-458, 1992, and in Modern
Plastics Encyclopedia, Mid-November 1998 Issue, volume 75, Number
12, pages C-105 to C-115.
[0049] The various classes of plasticizers contemplated for use
herein can include, but are not limited to: abietates, e.g. methyl
abietate; acetates, e.g., glycidyl triacetate; adipates, e.g.,
dibutyl adipate; azelates, e.g., diisoocytyl azelate; benzoates,
e.g., polyethyleneglycol dibenzoate; biphenyls, e.g., camphor;
caprylates, e.g., butanediol dicaprylate; citrates, e.g., triethyl
citrate; dodecanedioates, e.g., dioctyl dodecanedioate; ethers,
e.g., dibenzyl ether; fumarates, e.g., diocytyl fumarate;
glutarates, e.g., diisodecyl glutarate; glycolates, e.g.,
di(2-ethylhexyl)diglycolate; isophthalate, e.g., dimethyl
isophthalate; laurates, e.g., poly(ethylene glycol)monolaurate;
maleates, e.g., dibutyl maleate; myristates, e.g., isopropyl
myristate; oleates, e.g., methyloleate; palmitates, e.g.,
tetrahydrofurfuryl palmitate; paraffin derivatives, e.g.,
chlomenate paraffin; phosphates, e.g., 2-ethylhexyl diphenyl
phosphate and triphenyl phosphate; phthalates, e.g., diethyl
phthalate and dioctyl phthalate; ricinoleates, e.g., methoxyethyl
ricinoleate; sebacates, e.g., diethyl sebacate; stearates, e.g.,
methylpentachlorostearate; sulfonamides, e.g., toluene sulfonamide;
tartrates, e.g., butyl tartrates; terephthalates, e.g., dioctyl
terephthalate; trimellitates, e.g., trioctyl trimellitate and
mixtures of such plasticizers.
[0050] Examples of suitable plasticizers also can include, where
appropriate, organic polyols such as: (a) polyester polyols; (b)
polyether polyols; (c) amide-containing polyols; (d) polyhydric
polyvinyl alcohols; and (e) mixtures of such polyols. Such organic
polyols and their preparation are well known in the art.
[0051] It should be noted that any of the fixed-tint colorants
and/or the photochromic materials mentioned above may be
incorporated into at least a portion of a coating composition prior
to application of the coating composition to the substrate, or
alternatively, a coating composition may be applied to the
substrate, at least partially set, and thereafter the photochromic
material may be imbibed into at least a portion of the coating. As
used herein with reference to coatings, coating compositions, or
components thereof, the terms "set" and "setting" are intended to
include processes, such as, but not limited to, curing,
polymerizing, cross-linking, cooling, and drying. As mentioned
above either or both of the fixed-tint colorant and the
photochromic material can be applied to the substrate (for example,
in the form of a coating or imbibed into the surface of the
substrate) and another fixed-tint colorant and/or photochromic
material subsequently can be applied. Alternatively, the fixed-tint
colorant and/or the photochromic material can be incorporated in
mass into the materials used to form the substrate, and, optionally
a fixed-tint colorant and/or a photochromic material subsequently
can be applied to that substrate.
[0052] Specific non-limiting examples of coating compositions into
which the fixed-tint colorants and/or photochromic materials may be
incorporated include, but are not limited to, those coating
compositions known in the art for use in connection with
photochromic materials. Non-limiting examples of a coating
compositions into which the photochromic materials according to
various non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein may be
incorporated include the mono-isocyanate containing coating
compositions disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,916,537 ("the '537
Patent") at col. 3, lines 1 to 12, which comprises (in addition to
a photochromic material) a reaction product (non-limiting examples
which are set forth in the '537 Patent at col. 7, lines 4-37) of a
polyol comprising at least one carbonate group (non-limiting
examples of which are set forth in the '537 Patent at col. 7, line
38 to col. 8, line 49) and an isocyanate comprising at least one
reactive isocyanate group and at least one polymerizable double
bond (non-limiting examples of which are set forth in the '537
Patent at col. 8, line 50 to col. 9, line 44), and which optionally
comprises an addition copolymerizable monomer (non-limiting
examples of which are set forth in the '537 Patent at col. 11, line
47 to col. 20, line 43). The above-referenced disclosure of the
'537 Patent is hereby specifically incorporated by reference
herein.
[0053] Other non-limiting examples of suitable coating compositions
into which the fixed-tint colorants and/or the photochromic
materials may be incorporated include the poly(urea-urethane)
compositions disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,531,076, at col. 3, line
4 to col. 10, line 49, which disclosure is hereby specifically
incorporated by reference herein. Still other non-limiting examples
of coating compositions into which the photochromic materials
according to various non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein may
be incorporated include the polyurethane compositions disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,187,444, at col. 2, line 52 to col. 12, line 15,
which disclosure is hereby specifically incorporated by reference
herein.
[0054] Yet other non-limiting examples of coating compositions into
which the fixed tint colorants and/or the photochromic materials
may be incorporated include the poly(meth)acrylic coating
compositions described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,602,603, at col. 2, line
60 to col. 7, line 50; the aminoplast resin coating compositions
described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,506,488, at col. 2, line 43 to col.
12, line 23 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,432,544, at col. 2, line 32 to col.
14, line 5; the polyanhydride coating compositions described in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,436,525, at col. 2, line 15 to col. 11, line 60;
the epoxy resin coating compositions described in U.S. Pat. No.
6,268,055, at col. 2, line 63 to col. 17, line 3; and the
alkoxyacrylamide coating compositions descried in U.S. Pat. No.
6,060,001, at col. 2, line 6 to col. 5, line 39. The
above-referenced disclosures are hereby specifically incorporated
by reference herein.
[0055] Further, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art
that the coating compositions described above may further comprise
other additives that aid in the processing and/or performance of
the composition or coating derived therefrom. Non-limiting examples
of such additives include photoinitiators, thermal initiators,
polymerization inhibitors, solvents, light stabilizers (such as,
but not limited to, ultraviolet light absorbers and light
stabilizers, such as, hindered amine light stabilizers (HALS)),
heat stabilizers, mold release agents, rheology control agents,
leveling agents (such as, but not limited to, surfactants), free
radical scavengers, adhesion promoters (such as, hexanediol
diacrylate and coupling agents), and combinations and mixtures
thereof.
[0056] Non-limiting examples of additional coatings and films that
may be used in conjunction with the optical articles disclosed
herein can include, but are not limited to, primer or
compatiblizing coatings; protective coatings, including
transitional coatings, abrasion-resistant coatings and other
coatings that protect against the effects of polymerization
reaction chemicals and/or protect against deterioration due to
environmental conditions, such as, moisture, heat, ultraviolet
light, and/or oxygen (e.g., UV-shielding coatings and oxygen
barrier coatings); anti-reflective coatings; conventional
photochromic coating; reflective coatings including mirror
coatings; polarizing coatings and polarizing films; and
combinations thereof.
[0057] Non-limiting examples of primer or compatiblizing coatings
that may be used in conjunction with various non-limiting
embodiments disclosed herein include coatings comprising coupling
agents, at least partial hydrolysates of coupling agents, and
mixtures thereof. As used herein, the term "coupling agent" means a
material having a group capable of reacting, binding and/or
associating with a group on a surface. Coupling agents according to
various non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein may include
organometallics, such as, silanes, titanates, zirconates,
aluminates, zirconium aluminates, hydrolysates thereof, and
mixtures thereof. As used herein, the phrase "at least partial
hydrolysates of coupling agents" means that some to all of the
hydrolyzable groups on the coupling agent are hydrolyzed. Other
non-limiting examples of primer coatings that are suitable for use
in conjunction with the various non-limiting embodiments disclosed
herein include those primer coatings described U.S. Pat. No.
6,025,026 at col. 3, line 3 to col. 11, line 40 and U.S. Pat. No.
6,150,430 No. at col. 2, line 39 to col. 7, line 58, which
disclosures are hereby specifically incorporated herein by
reference.
[0058] As used herein, the term "transitional coating" means a
coating that aids in creating a gradient in properties between two
coatings. For example, although not limiting herein, a transitional
coating may aid in creating a gradient in hardness between a
relatively hard coating (such as, an abrasion-resistant coating)
and a relatively soft coating (such as, a photochromic coating).
Non-limiting examples of transitional coatings include
radiation-cured, acrylate-based thin films as described in U.S.
Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0165686 at paragraphs
[0079]-[0173], which are hereby specifically incorporated by
reference herein.
[0059] As used herein, the term "abrasion-resistant coating" refers
to a protective polymeric material that demonstrates a resistance
to abrasion that is greater than a standard reference material,
e.g., a polymer made of CR-39.RTM. monomer available from PPG
Industries, Inc, as tested in a method comparable to ASTM F-735
Standard Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Transparent
Plastics and Coatings Using the Oscillating Sand Method.
Non-limiting examples of abrasion-resistant coatings include
abrasion-resistant coatings comprising organosilanes,
organosiloxanes, abrasion-resistant coatings based on inorganic
materials, such as, silica, titania and/or zirconia, and organic
abrasion-resistant coatings of the type that are ultraviolet light
curable.
[0060] Non-limiting examples of antireflective coatings include a
monolayer coating or multilayer coatings of metal oxides, metal
fluorides, or other such materials, which may be deposited onto the
articles disclosed herein (or onto self supporting films that are
applied to the articles as discussed herein below), for example,
through vacuum deposition, sputtering, etc.
[0061] In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the
optical article further comprises a polarizer comprised of a
polarizing coating layer and/or a polarizing stretched film.
Non-limiting examples of polarizing coatings and polarizing
stretched-films include, but are not limited to, polarizing
coatings (such as those described in U.S. Patent Application
Publication No. 2005/0151926, at paragraphs [0029]-[0116], which
are hereby specifically incorporated by reference herein), and
polarizing stretched-films comprising dichroic compounds that are
known in the art.
[0062] As discussed above, according to various non-limiting
embodiments an additional at least partial coating or film may be
formed on the substrate prior to connecting the colorant
composition or a component thereof (i.e., either the fixed-tint
colorant or the photochromic material) on or to the substrate. For
example, according to certain non-limiting embodiments a primer or
compatiblizing coating may be formed on the substrate prior to
applying the colorant composition or a component thereof.
Additionally or alternatively, one or more additional at least
partial coating(s) may be formed on the substrate after connecting
the colorant composition or a component thereof on or to the
substrate, for example, as an overcoating on the colorant
composition. For example, a transitional coating may be formed over
the colorant composition, and an abrasion-resistant coating may
then be formed over the transitional coating.
[0063] For example, according to certain non-limiting embodiments
there is provided a optical article comprising a substrate (such
as, but not limited to a piano-concave or a piano-convex ophthalmic
lens substrate), which comprises an abrasion-resistant coating on
at least a portion of a surface thereof; a primer or compatiblizing
coating on at least a portion of the abrasion-resistant coating; a
colorant composition in the form of a coating, on at least a
portion of the primer or compatiblizing coating; a transitional
coating on at least a portion of the colorant composition in the
form of a coating; and an abrasion-resistant coating on at least a
portion of the transitional coating. Further, the optical article
also may comprise, for example, an antireflective coating that is
connected to a surface of the substrate and/or a polarizing coating
or film that is connected to a surface of the substrate.
[0064] The colorant composition or a component thereof (i.e, either
the fixed-tint colorant or the photochromic material) can be
connected to at least a portion of a substrate by at least one of
in-mold casting, coating and imbibition, and lamination as
discussed below,
[0065] Non-limiting methods of incorporating the fixed-tint
colorants and/or the photochromic materials into an organic
material include, for example, mixing the fixed-tint colorants
and/or photochromic material into a solution or melt of a polymeric
or oligomeric material, and subsequently at least partially setting
the polymeric or oligomeric material (with or without bonding the
fixed-tint colorants and/or the photochromic materials to the
organic material); mixing the fixed-tint colorants and/or
photochromic materials with a monomeric material and subsequently
at least partially polymerizing the monomer (with or without
co-polymerizing the photochromic material with the monomer or
otherwise bonding the fixed-tint colorants and/or photochromic
material to the resultant polymer or intermediate in the
polymerization reaction as previously discussed); and imbibing the
fixed-tint colorants and/or photochromic materials into a polymeric
material (with or without bonding the photochromic material to the
polymeric material).
[0066] If the substrate is formed from a polymeric material, the
fixed-tint colorant and/or photochromic material may be connected
to at least a portion of the substrate by the cast-in-place method
and/or by imbibition. For example, in the cast-in-place method, the
fixed-tint colorants and/or photochromic material may be mixed with
a polymeric solution or melt, or other oligomeric and/or monomeric
solution or mixture, which may be subsequently cast into a mold
having a desired shape and at least partially set to form the
substrate. Optionally, according to this non-limiting embodiment,
the fixed-tint colorants and/or photochromic material may be bonded
to a portion of the polymeric material of the substrate, for
example, by co-polymerization with a monomeric precursor thereof or
an intermediate in the polymerization reaction. In the imbibition
method, the fixed-tint colorants and/or photochromic material may
be diffused into the polymeric material of the substrate after it
is formed, for example, by immersing a substrate in a solution
containing the fixed-tint colorants and/or photochromic material,
with or without heating. Thereafter, although not required, the
fixed-tint colorants and/or photochromic material may be bonded
with the polymeric material.
[0067] For example, according to one non-limiting embodiment
wherein the substrate comprises a polymeric material, the colorant
composition or a component thereof (i.e., either the fixed-tint
colorant or the photochromic material) may be connected to at least
a portion of a substrate by in-mold casting. According to this
non-limiting embodiment, a coating composition comprising the
colorant composition or a component thereof, which may be a liquid
coating composition or a powder coating composition, may be applied
to the surface of a mold and at least partially set. Thereafter, a
polymer solution or melt, or oligomeric or monomeric solution or
mixture may be cast over the coating and at least partially set.
After setting, the coated substrate may be removed from the mold.
Non-limiting examples of powder coatings in which the photochromic
materials may be employed are set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 6,068,797
at col. 7, line 50 to col. 19, line 42, which disclosure is hereby
specifically incorporated by reference herein.
[0068] Where the substrate comprises a polymeric material or an
inorganic material, such as, for example, glass, the colorant
composition (or either component thereof, i.e., either the
fixed-tint colorant or the photochromic material) may be connected
to at least a portion of a substrate by a coating process.
Non-limiting examples of suitable coating processes include spin
coating, spray coating (e.g., using a liquid or a powder coating
compositions), curtain coating, roll coating, spin and spray
coating, over-molding, and combinations thereof. For example,
according to one non-limiting embodiment, the colorant composition
may be connected to the substrate by over-molding. According to
this non-limiting embodiment, a coating composition comprising the
colorant composition or a component thereof (examples of which
coatings are discussed above) may be applied to a mold and then a
substrate may be placed into the mold such that the substrate
contacts the coating causing it to spread over at least a portion
of the surface of the substrate. Thereafter, the coating
composition may be at least partially set and the coated substrate
may be removed from the mold. Alternatively, the over-molding
process may comprise placing the substrate into a mold such that an
open region is defined between the substrate and the mold, and
thereafter injecting a coating composition comprising the colorant
composition or a component thereof into the open region.
Thereafter, the coating composition may be at least partially set
and the coated substrate may be removed from the mold. According to
another non-limiting embodiment, the colorant composition or a
component thereof may be connected to substrate by spin-coating a
coating composition comprising one or both of the fixed-tint
colorant and the photochromic material onto the substrate, for
example, by rotating the substrate and applying the coating
composition to the substrate while it is rotating and/or by
applying the coating composition to the substrate and subsequently
rotating the substrate.
[0069] Additionally or alternatively, a coating composition (with
or without a fixed-tint colorant and/or a photochromic material)
may be applied to a substrate (for example, by any of the foregoing
coating processes), the coating composition may be at least
partially set, and thereafter, a colorant composition or any
component thereof may be into the coating.
[0070] As discussed above, after forming the coating comprising the
fixed-tint colorant and/or the photochromic material at least a
portion of the coating may be at least partially set. For example,
at least partially setting at least a portion of the coating may
comprise exposing the coating to at least one of electromagnetic
radiation and thermal radiation to at least partially dry,
polymerize and/or cross-link one or more components of the coating
composition.
[0071] According to yet another non-limiting embodiment, wherein
the substrate comprises a polymeric material or an inorganic
material, such as, for example, glass, the colorant composition may
be connected to at least a portion of a substrate by lamination.
For example, according to this non-limiting embodiment, a
self-supporting film or sheet comprising the colorant composition
may be adhered or otherwise connected to a portion of the
substrate, with or without an adhesive and/or the application of
heat and pressure. Optionally, thereafter a protective coating may
be applied over the film; or a second substrate may be applied over
the first substrate and the two substrates may be laminated
together (i.e., by the application of heat and pressure) to form an
element wherein the film comprising the photochromic material is
interposed between the two substrates. Methods of forming films
comprising a fixed-tint colorant and/or photochromic material may
include, for example and without limitation, combining a fixed-tint
colorant and/or a photochromic material with a polymeric or
oligomeric solution or mixture, casting or extruding a film
therefrom, and, if required, at least partially setting the film.
Additionally or alternatively, a film may be formed (with or
without a colorant composition or a component thereof) and imbibed
with the colorant composition or a component thereof.
[0072] Further, according to various non-limiting embodiments,
prior to connecting the colorant composition to at least a portion
of the substrate by coating, imbibitions, or lamination, a primer
or compatiblizing coating (such as those discussed above) may be
formed on at least a portion of the surface of the substrate to
enhance one or more of the wetting, adhesion, and/or chemical
compatibility of the photochromic coating with the substrate.
Non-limiting examples of suitable primer or compatiblizing coatings
and methods of making the same are disclosed above. Still further,
as previously discussed according to various non-limiting
embodiments disclosed herein, the substrate may comprise an
abrasion-resistant coating on at least a portion of its
surface.
[0073] According to various non-limiting embodiments disclosed
herein, prior to applying any coating or film to the substrate, for
example, prior to connecting the colorant composition to at least a
portion of the surface of the substrate by coating and/or
lamination or prior to applying a primer or compatiblizing coating
to the substrate, the surface may be cleaned and/or treated to
provide a clean surface and/or a surface that may enhance adhesion
of the colorant composition to the substrate. Effective cleaning
and treatments may include, but are not limited to, ultrasonic
washing with an aqueous soap/detergent solution; cleaning with an
aqueous mixture of organic solvent, e.g., a 50:50 mixture of
isopropanol:water or ethanol:water; UV treatment; activated gas
treatment, e.g., treatment with low temperature plasma or corona
discharge; and chemical treatment that results in hydroxylation of
the substrate surface, e.g., etching of the surface with an aqueous
solution of alkali metal hydroxide, e.g., sodium or potassium
hydroxide, which solution can also contain a fluorosurfactant.
Generally, the alkali metal hydroxide solution is a dilute aqueous
solution, e.g., from 5 to 40 weight percent, more typically from 10
to 15 weight percent, such as, 12 weight percent, alkali metal
hydroxide. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,971,872, column 3,
lines 13 to 25; U.S. Pat. No. 4,904,525, column 6, lines 10 to 48;
and U.S. Pat. No. 5,104,692, column 13, lines 10 to 59, which
describe surface treatments of polymeric organic materials. The
foregoing disclosures are specifically incorporated herein by
reference.
[0074] In one non-limiting embodiment, surface treatment of the
substrate may be a low temperature plasma treatment. Although not
limiting herein, this method allows treatment of the surface to
enhance adhesion of a coating formed thereon, and may be a clean
and efficient way to alter the physical surface, e.g., by
roughening and/or chemically altering the surface without affecting
the rest of the article. Inert gases, such as, argon, and reactive
gases, such as, oxygen, may be used as the plasma gas. Inert gases
may roughen the surface, while reactive gases, such as, oxygen may
both roughen and chemically alter the surface exposed to the
plasma, e.g., by producing hydroxyl or carboxyl units on the
surface. According to one non-limiting embodiment, oxygen may be
used as the plasma gas. Although not limiting herein, it is
considered that oxygen may provides a slight, but effective,
physical roughening of the surface along with a slight, but
effective, chemical modification of the surface. As will be
appreciated by those skilled in the art, the extent of the surface
roughening and/or chemical modification will be a function of the
plasma gas and the operating conditions of the plasma unit
(including the length of time of the treatment).
[0075] Various non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein further
contemplate the use of various combinations of the forgoing methods
to form photochromic articles according to various non-limiting
embodiments disclosed herein. For example, and without limitation
herein, according to one non-limiting embodiment, a fixed-tint
colorant and/or photochromic material may be connected to substrate
by incorporation into an organic material from which the substrate
is formed (for example, using the cast-in-place method and/or
imbibition), and thereafter a fixed-tint coloranty and/or a
photochromic material (which may be the same or different from the
aforementioned fixed-tint colorant and/or photochromic material)
may be connected to a portion of the substrate using the in-mold
casting, coating, and/or lamination methods discussed above.
[0076] According to various non-limiting embodiments, the
fixed-tint colorants and the photochromic materials described
herein may be used in amounts (or ratios) such that the optical
article exhibits desired optical properties (e.g., color and
transmittance).
[0077] As used herein the term "connected to" means incorporated
into an object, or in direct contact with an object, or indirect
contact with an object through one or more other structures or
materials, at least one of which is in direct contact with the
object. Thus, according to various non-limiting embodiments
disclosed herein, the colorant composition can be incorporated into
the substrate such as by an "in mass" application where all or a
portion of the colorant composition, or at least one component
thereof, is incorporated (i.e., mixed or blended into) the
components used to prepare the substrate. [0078] 1. As mentioned
above, the colorant composition can be applied directly to the
substrate; or at least one component thereof can be applied
directly to the substrate. For example, the substrate can comprise
a photochromic material, and the fixed-tint colorant can be applied
to the photochromic substrate; or, alternatively, the substrate can
comprise a fixed-tint colorant and the photochromic material can be
applied to the tinted substrate. Further, the colorant composition
can be in indirect contact with the substrate, that is the colorant
composition can be in contact with one or more at least partial
coatings, polymer sheets or combinations thereof, at least one of
which is in direct contact with at least a portion of the
substrate. The optical article of the present invention can
comprise a multilayer structure comprising the substrate and the
colorant composition wherein the colorant composition or components
(1) and (2) thereof are present in one or more layers of the
multilayer structure, including in the substrate layer itself. For
example, the colorant composition (B) can comprise a coating
composition comprising at least one of the fixed-tint colorant (1)
and the photochromic material (2), and the coating composition can
be applied over a tinted or untinted substrate. Alternatively, the
fixed-tint colorant (1) can be present in and/or on the substrate
(A), and the photochromic material (2) can comprise a coating
composition and/or a film connected to the substrate. Further, the
photochromic material (2) can be present in and/or on the substrate
(A), and the fixed-tint colorant (2) can comprise a coating
composition and/or a film connected to the substrate.
[0079] It should also be noted that the colorant composition or a
component thereof can be applied to an untinted substrate or to a
tinted substrate. As used herein with reference to substrates the
term "untinted" means substrates that are essentially free of
coloring agent additions and have an absorption spectrum for
visible radiation that does not vary significantly in response to
actinic radiation. Further, with reference to substrates the term
"tinted" means substrates that have a coloring agent addition and
an absorption spectrum for visible radiation that may or may not
vary significantly in response to actinic radiation.
[0080] The optical article of the present invention exhibits a
passive state and an activated state, such that the article can
switch from the passive state to the activated state in response to
at least actinic radiation and to revert back to the passive state
in response to thermal energy. In the "passive" state, the optical
article of the present invention exhibits a first color (i.e, an
absorption spectrum for visible radiation) due to the presence of
the fixed-tint colorant which does not vary in response to actinic
radiation. In the "activated" state, the optical article exhibits a
second color due to the combined effect of the color of the
fixed-tint colorant and the photochromic material which darkens
(and colors) in response to at least actinic radiation. This effect
is thermally reversible to the passive state.
[0081] In the passive state the optical article has a transmittance
ranging from greater than 30% to 70%, typically 35% to 70%, across
a wavelength range of from 460 nanometers (nm) to 500 nm. Further,
in the passive state the spectral filtration ratio of the maximum
transmittance in the wavelength range of from 460 nm to 500 nm to
the minimum transmittance in the wavelength range from 500 nm to
580 nm ranges from 0.5 to 1.5, such as from 0.75 to 1.5, or from
1.0 to 1.5.
[0082] Further, in the activated state the spectral filtration
ratio of the maximum transmittance in the wavelength range from 460
nm to 500 nm to the minimum transmittance in the wavelength range
from 500 nm to 580 nm is greater than 1.0, such as greater than
2.0, or greater than 3.0. For purposes of the present invention, as
used herein in the specification and in the claims, transmittance
and spectral filtration ratio are each measured in accordance with
the methods described in detail in the Examples herein below.
[0083] The invention is further described in conjunction with the
following examples, which are to be considered as illustrative
rather than limiting, and in which all parts are parts by weight
and all percentages are percentages by weight unless otherwise
specified.
EXAMPLES
[0084] The present invention is more particularly described in the
following examples, which are intended as illustrative only, since
numerous modifications and variations therein will be apparent to
those skilled in the art. Part 1 describes the preparation of the
coating formulations of Examples 1 and 2; Part 2 describes the
preparation of the coated lenses; Part 3 describes the photochromic
performance testing of the lenses coated with Examples 1 and 2 and
the Comparative Example a Rodenstock Colormatic Extra Contrast
Orange lens; and Part 4 describes the luminance testing of a golf
ball, artificial grass measured individually and combined as viewed
through lenses coated with Examples 1 and 2.
[0085] In the examples, percentages are reported as weight percent,
unless otherwise specified. Materials, such as dyes, polyols,
catalysts, surfactants, etc., which are identified in one example
by a lower case letter in parenthesis and which are used in other
examples, are identified in the subsequent examples with the same
lower case number.
Part 1
Preparation of Coating Formulations
Example 1
[0086] The following materials were added in the order described to
a suitable vessel equipped with an agitator.
TABLE-US-00001 CHARGE 1 MATERIAL WEIGHT PERCENT NMP.sup.(1) 24.5265
YELLOW 2GH.sup.(2) 0.4341 VIOLET PF.sup.(3) 0.4909 MORPLAS
BLUE.sup.(4) 0.0750 PC-1.sup.(5) 0.9788 PC-2.sup.(6) 1.4681 IRGANOX
.RTM. 245.sup.(7) 0.8156 TINUVIN .RTM. 144.sup.(8) 0.8156
.sup.(1)NMP is N-methylpyrrolidinone (biotechnical grade) available
from Aldrich of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. .sup.(2)Yellow dye from
Keystone Aniline Corporation. .sup.(3)Violet dye from Keystone
Aniline Corporation. .sup.(4)Blue dye from Morton International,
Inc. .sup.(5)A blue coloring photochromic indenonaphthopyran.
.sup.(6)A purple coloring photochromic indenonaphthopyran.
.sup.(7)IRGANOX .RTM. 245 - An antioxidant/stabilizer available
from Ciba Specialty Chemicals Corp. .sup.(8)TINUVIN .RTM.-144 is a
light stabilizer of the hindered amine class reported to have CAS#
63843-89-0 and is available from Ciba Specialty Chemicals.
TABLE-US-00002 CHARGE 2 MATERIAL WEIGHT PERCENT A-187.sup.(9)
1.9386 K-KAT .RTM. 348.sup.(10) 0.4894 BYK .RTM. 333.sup.(11)
0.0367 .sup.(9)SILQUEST .RTM. A-187 is A gamma-glycidoxypropyl
trimethoxysilane, which is available from Osi Specities of Paris,
France. .sup.(10)K-KAT .RTM.348 is a urethane catalyst reported to
be a bismuth carboxylate available from King Industries Inc.
.sup.(11)BYK .RTM. 333 is a polyether modified dimethylpolysiloxane
compolymer, which is available from BYK-Chemie of Wallingford,
Connecticut.
TABLE-US-00003 CHARGE 3 MATERIAL WEIGHT PERCENT NMP.sup.(1) 3.6247
PMAP.sup.(12) 15.0340 PC-1122.sup.(13) 14.7517 Desmodur .RTM.
PL-340.sup.(14) 9.1130 HDI Biuret BI-7960.sup.(15) 25.9919
.sup.(12)A poly(meth)acrylic polyol produced by following the
procedure of Composition D of Example 1 in U.S. Pat. No. 6,187,444,
which procedure is incorporated herein by reference, except that in
Charge 2, the styrene was replaced with methyl methacrylate and
0.5% by weight, based on the total monomer weight, of triphenyl
phosphite was added. .sup.(13)An aliphatic carbonate diol available
form Stahl USA. .sup.(14)A blocked IPDI (isophorone diisocyanate)
available from Bayer Corp. .sup.(15)A blocked hexamethylene
diisocyanate available from Baxenden Chemical Co. of Lancashire,
England.
[0087] Charge 1 was added to the vessel and mixed for approximately
30 minutes to dissolve the solids. Charge 2 was added to the
solution and the resulting mixture was stirred for approximately 5
minutes. The materials of Charge 3 were added in the order listed
to a separate container and mixed prior to adding it to the vessel
containing Charges 1 and 2. The resulting mixture was placed in a
120 mL container and placed on a U.S. Stoneware Roll mixer at a
dial setting of 40 for 2 hours.
Example 2
[0088] The procedure of Example 1 was followed except that Charge
1A was used in place of Charge 1, Charge 2A was used in place of
Charge 2 and Charge 3A was used in place of Charge 3.
TABLE-US-00004 CHARGE 1A MATERIAL WEIGHT PERCENT NMP.sup.(1)
23.7642 MORPLAS BLUE.sup.(4) 0.0500 YELLOW Yc.sup.(16) 0.6700
RUBINE RED.sup.(17) 0.2800 PC-3.sup.(18) 2.9429 IRGANOX .RTM.
245.sup.(7) 0.9810 TINUVIN .RTM. 144.sup.(8) 0.9810 .sup.(16)Yellow
dye from Keystone Aniline Corporation. .sup.(17)Red dye from
Clariant Corporation. .sup.(18)A blue coloring photochromic
indenonaphthopyran.
TABLE-US-00005 CHARGE 2A MATERIAL WEIGHT PERCENT A-187.sup.(9)
1.9429 K-KAT .RTM. 348.sup.(10) 0.4905 BYK .RTM. 333.sup.(11)
0.0368
TABLE-US-00006 CHARGE 3A MATERIAL WEIGHT PERCENT NMP.sup.(1) 3.6328
PMAP.sup.(12) 15.0678 PC-1122.sup.(13) 14.7849 Desmodur .RTM.
PL-340.sup.(14) 9.1335 HDI Biuret BI-7960.sup.(15) 26.0504
Part 2
Preparation of the Coated Lenses
[0089] Finished single vision polycarbonate lenses having a
diameter of 76 mm obtained from Gentex Optics were used. The test
lenses were treated with a corona discharge from a 3DT Multidyne
unit operating at 60 Hertz and 1.3 kVA unit for 15 seconds The test
lenses were then washed with soapy water, rinsed with deionized
water and dried with air. The coatings of Examples 1 and 2 were
each applied by spin-coating separately to corona treated lens and
cured at 125.degree. C. for 60 minutes. The resulting cured
coatings were approximately 20 microns thick. The coated test
lenses were treated by corona discharge from a 3DT Flexidyne unit
operating at 20 Hertz and 0.70 kilowatts for 35 seconds and then
rinsed with deionized water and dried. An acrylate-based
formulation of the type described in Examples 1 and 2 of U.S. Pat.
No. 7,410,691, which disclosure is incorporated herein by
reference, was applied to the test lenses by spin coating and cured
to result in coatings that were approximately 8 microns thick. The
resulting coated test lenses were treated with a corona discharge
from a 3DT Flexidyne unit operating at 20 Hertz and 0.70 kilowatts
for 35 seconds and an organo silane-based abrasion-resistant
coating was applied to the corona discharge treated surface of the
coated lenses by spin coating. The lenses were then heated for 3
hours in a convection oven at 212.degree. F. (100.degree. C.). The
thicknesses of the abrasion-resistant coatings were approximately 2
microns.
Part 3
Photochromic Performance Testing of the Coated Lenses
[0090] The photochromic performance of each of the aforementioned
coated lenses was determined as follows. The coated lenses prepared
in Part 2 and the Comparative Example lens were tested for
photochromic response on the Bench for Measuring Photochromics
("BMP") optical bench made by Essilor, Ltd. France. The optical
bench was maintained at a constant temperature of 23.degree. C.
(73.4.degree. F.) during testing.
[0091] Prior to testing on the optical bench, each of the coated
lenses the Comparative Example lens were exposed to 365-nanometer
ultraviolet light for about 10 minutes at a distance of about 12
centimeters to activate the photochromic materials. The UVA (315 to
380 nm) irradiance at the lens was measured with a Licor Model
Li-1800 spectroradiometer and found to be 16.5 watts per square
meter. The lens was then placed under a 500 watt, high intensity
halogen lamp for about 10 minutes at a distance of about 32
centimeters to bleach (inactivate) the photochromic materials. The
illuminance at the lens was measured with the Licor
spectroradiometer and found to be 20 Klux. The lenses were then
kept in a dark environment at room temperature (from 21.degree. C.
to 24.degree. C., or 70.degree. F. to 75.degree. F.) for at least 1
hour prior to testing on an optical bench. Prior to optical bench
measurement, the lenses were measured for ultraviolet absorbance at
390 and 405 nm.
[0092] The BMP optical bench was fitted with two 150-watt
ORIEL.RTM. Model #66057 Xenon arc lamps at right angles to each
other. The light path from Lamp 1 was directed through a 3 mm
SCHOTT.RTM. KG-2 band-pass filter and appropriate neutral density
filters that contributed to the required UV and partial visible
light irradiance level. The light path from Lamp 2 was directed
through a 3 mm SCHOTT.RTM. KG-2 band-pass filter, a SCHOTT.RTM.
short band 400 nm cutoff filter and appropriate neutral density
filters in order to provide supplemental visible light illuminance.
A 5.1 cm.times.5.1 cm (2 inch.times.2 inch) 50% polka dot beam
splitter, at 45.degree. to each lamp is used to mix the two beams.
The combination of neutral density filters and voltage control of
the Xenon arc lamp were used to adjust the intensity of the
irradiance. Proprietary software was used on the BMP to control
timing, irradiance, air cell and sample temperature, shuttering,
filter selection and response measurement. A ZEISS.RTM.
spectrophotometer, Model MCS 501, with fiber optic cables for light
delivery through the lens was used for response and color
measurement. Photopic response measurements, as well as the
response at four select wavelengths, were collected on each
lens.
[0093] The power output of the optical bench, i.e., the dosage of
light that the lens was exposed to, was adjusted to 6.7 Watts per
square meter (W/m.sup.2) UVA, integrated from 315-380 nm and 50
Klux illuminance, integrated from 380-780 nm. Measurement of the
power output was made using the optometer and software contained
within the BMP.
[0094] Response measurements, in terms of a change from the first
state being unactivated or bleached to the second state being
activated or colored in percent transmittance over the wavelength
range from 380 to 780 nanometers, were determined by establishing
the initial unactivated transmittance, opening the shutter from the
Xenon lamp(s) and measuring the transmittance through activation at
selected intervals of time. The results as percent transmittance
for the wavelengths ranging from 460 to 580 nanometers are
tabulated for Example 1 in Table 1 and graphically presented in
FIG. 1, for Example 2 in Table 2 and FIG. 2 and for the Comparative
Example a Rodenstock Colormatic Extra Contrast Orange in Table 3
and FIG. 3.
TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 1 Percent Transmittance for the Lens coated
with Example 1 Wavelength (nm) Passive Activated 460 43.07 22.24
470 47.06 22.00 480 50.37 20.39 490 52.54 18.34 500 51.98 15.67 510
49.19 12.73 520 46.66 10.31 530 44.01 8.32 540 39.84 6.57 550 36.42
5.47 560 37.09 5.34 570 39.80 5.72 580 39.96 5.96
[0095] The results in Table 1 for the lens coated with Example 1
indicate that the maximum passive transmittance in the 460-500 nm
range is 52.54 and the minimum passive transmittance in the 500-580
range is 36.42 yielding an passive contrast ratio of 1.44; and the
maximum activated transmittance in the 460-500 nm range is 22.24
and the minimum activated transmittance in the 500-580 range is
5.34 yielding an activated contrast ratio of 4.16.
TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 2 Percent Transmittance for the Lens coated
with Example 2 Wavelength (nm) Passive Activated 460 50.02 21.48
470 61.71 26.78 480 61.84 27.16 490 59.55 25.20 500 57.09 21.62 510
55.50 17.74 520 54.98 14.41 530 55.32 11.87 540 56.85 10.15 550
60.03 9.17 560 64.82 8.79 570 69.80 8.83 580 73.86 9.15
[0096] The results in Table 2 for the lens coated with Example 2
indicate that the maximum passive transmittance in the 460-500 nm
range is 61.84 and the minimum passive transmittance in the 500-580
range is 54.98 yielding an passive contrast ratio of 1.12; and the
maximum activated transmittance in the 460-500 nm range is 27.16
and the minimum activated transmittance in the 500-580 range is
8.79 yielding an activated contrast ratio of 3.09.
TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 3 Percent Transmittance for the Lens coated
with the Comparative Example Wavelength (nm) Passive Activated 460
12.66 3.86 470 14.70 4.28 480 17.43 5.04 490 21.05 6.46 500 25.64
8.58 510 31.13 10.99 520 37.34 13.04 530 43.95 14.46 540 50.57
15.38 550 56.73 15.94 560 62.14 16.30 570 66.52 16.56 580 69.85
16.88
[0097] The results in Table 3 for the Comparative Example of the
Rodenstock Colormatic Extra Contrast Orange lens indicate that the
maximum passive transmittance in the 460-500 nm range is 25.64 and
the minimum passive transmittance in the 500-580 range is 25.64
yielding an passive contrast ratio of 1.00; and the maximum
activated transmittance in the 460-500 nm range is 8.58 and the
minimum activated transmittance in the 500-580 range is 8.58
yielding an activated contrast ratio of 1.00.
Part 4
Luminance Testing
[0098] To provide a real-life example of this improved contrast
ratio of the activated state of the lens, the luminance reflected
from a white golf ball on a grass-like surface was measured with no
intervening filter, and again with the lenses prepared using
compositions of Example 1 and Example 2 between the detector and
the golf ball on a grass-like surface. (The grass-like surface was
a 6 foot by 8 foot outdoor synthetic grass carpet.) The luminance
was measured with a Model Li-1800 spectroradiometer at each of the
individual wavelengths over the range from 300 to 700 nm and was
reported for 10 nm increments. With the sun positioned at 1 o-clock
in the sky behind the detector that was at a 45.degree. angle to
the plane on which the ball was placed, the reflected luminance
from the ball was measured 1 inch from the probe so that only the
white from the ball was included in the measured spectra reflected
luminance. In a similar manner, the luminance from the grass rug
was measured 1 inch from the probe. Finally, the ball upon the
grass rug was measured at a distance of 1 foot away so that the
measured reflective luminance represented a combination of both the
ball and the grass.
[0099] The reflected luminances shown in FIG. 4 represent the
reflected solar intensity from the surface of the golf ball alone,
the artificial grass alone, and from a broader area encompassing
both the golf ball and the artificial grass rug; and demonstrate
the extra spectral luminance in the 460 to 500 nm range for the
white golf ball compared with the grass alone.
[0100] FIG. 5 shows the actual reflected luminance of the broader
area encompassing both the golf ball and the grass rug as measured
from 1 foot away. This luminance measurement was repeated with a
lens from Example 2 in front of the probe. Under the solar and
temperature conditions for a sunny day at 35.degree. F., the lens
demonstrated 10% transmittance. This luminance measurement was
repeated once with a lens of Example 1 in front of the probe.
Measurements were obtained under the solar and temperature
conditions for a sunny day at 35.degree. F., and the lens
demonstrated 8% transmittance.
[0101] Luminance measurements show that the difference in the
spectra of the white golf ball as compared with the grass is most
apparent in the higher relative luminance in the 460 to 500 nm
region. This contrast change is readily visible in the change in
the ratio of the maximum luminance in the 460 to 500 nm range to
the minimum luminance in the 500 to 580 nm range.
TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 4 Outdoor reflected luminance (W/m2/nm) of
golf ball on grass mat for no filter, Example 1 filter and Example
2 filter Wavelength No Filter luminance Example 1 filter Example 2
filter (nm) of ball and grass of ball and grass of ball and grass
460 0.1345 0.0069 0.0077 470 0.1336 0.0086 0.0074 480 0.1430 0.0099
0.0071 490 0.1421 0.0095 0.0063 500 0.1476 0.0085 0.0057 510 0.1559
0.0069 0.0049 520 0.1493 0.0049 0.0036 530 0.1579 0.0039 0.0030 540
0.1524 0.0030 0.0023 550 0.1527 0.0026 0.0021 560 0.1457 0.0023
0.0019 570 0.1395 0.0021 0.0019 580 0.1360 0.0021 0.0019
[0102] The result in Table 4 show that the maximum reflected
luminance from the golf ball on the grass mat with no filter was
0.1476 W/m2/nm at 500 nm. The minimum reflected luminance was
0.1360 W/m2/nm at 580 nm yielding a contrast ratio of 1.08. When
this same measurement was made, using the lens prepared using the
composition of Example 1 in front of the detector, the maximum
reflected luminance in the 460-500 nm range was 0.0099 and the
minimum luminance in the 500-580 range was 0.0021 yielding a
contrast ratio of 4.71. When using the lens prepared using the
composition of Example 2 in front of the detector, the maximum
activated luminance in the 460-500 nm range was 0.0077 and the
minimum activated luminance in the 500-580 range was 0.0019
yielding an activated contrast ratio of 4.05.
[0103] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to specific details of certain embodiments thereof, it is
not intended that such details should be regarded as limitations
upon the scope of the invention except insofar as they are included
in the accompanying claims.
* * * * *